Identify the proper synonym for the expression in italics. I did not want to play for keeps.

A synonym is a word or phrase that has a similar or close meaning to a different word or phrase. Since the above sentence has got no highlighted word, we shall use the whole expression; 'play for keeps'

Explanation:

Below are some of the synonyms for play;

Active Go-getter Self motivated Coming on strong Forcible Play hard ball Hyped up

Synonyms can be used interchangeably to mean the same thing. For example, the above sentence shall translate to,;

I did not want to play a go-getter